Nigeria's ambition to build more of the technology it uses is becoming a reality. At the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), locally assembled drones are emerging as a symbol of the country's growing engineering and manufacturing capacity.
Built through partnerships with private companies, the drones are designed for surveillance, agriculture and other practical uses. They are part of a wider effort to strengthen local manufacturing, create jobs, reduce reliance on imports and develop technologies that can compete in regional and global markets.
The progress was showcased on Tuesday when members of the Presidential Communications Team toured six factories, production facilities and the NASENI showroom at the agency's headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation included the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare; the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Among the technologies displayed were locally assembled unmanned aerial vehicles, agricultural equipment, diagnostic test kits and other products developed through partnerships with industry players.
One of the highlights of the visit was NASENI's collaboration with Caverton Drones. Project Coordinator, Ese Obukonise, demonstrated surveillance drones, agricultural drones, pressure pumps and a locally assembled helicopter produced through the partnership.
NASENI's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Halilu, said the agency is focused on developing technologies that create jobs, shorten production time and add value to the economy in line with the Federal Government's Nigeria First policy.
He also challenged the belief that successful manufacturing means producing every component within one country. According to him, modern industries thrive through collaboration and by focusing on areas where they have the greatest advantage.
Using Apple Inc. as an example, Halilu noted that while the company's products are designed in California, they are assembled in countries such as China and India.
"If you attempt to make everything 100 per cent local, you're pushing yourself out of civilisation," he said, adding that countries must build on their strengths to create sustainable businesses that can grow into international markets.
Halilu added that NASENI remains committed to innovations that can be produced commercially and expanded beyond Nigeria.
The visitors praised the agency's progress after inspecting the facilities.
Sunday Dare said the technologies on display showed meaningful progress in technology transfer, artificial intelligence and agricultural mechanisation. He also highlighted the local production of diagnostic test kits, noting that almost 80 per cent of the test kits used in Nigeria are still imported. He suggested that Ministries, Departments and Agencies should first determine whether products are available locally before turning to imports.
Bayo Onanuga described the agency's recent transformation as remarkable. He noted that although NASENI was established in 1992, the progress made over the past three years has been significant and encouraged the agency to continue building on its achievements.
Hadiza Bala-Usman also commended the agency's leadership, describing Khalil Halilu as focused and intentional. She said she had known him since the 2014 elections and praised the vision that has helped reposition NASENI into a stronger innovation-driven institution.
As investment in science, engineering and manufacturing continues to grow, NASENI's locally assembled drones are demonstrating that advanced technology can increasingly be designed and assembled in Nigeria while supporting industrial growth, skills development and new economic opportunities.
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